Protection of living systems from adverse effects of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields

ABSTRACT

The disclosed embodiments of the inventions disclosed in this application develop a `protection` electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field or fields which are either superimposed upon an ambient field which is detrimental to the health of living systems, or is incorporated into the electrical circuit of the device which is generating the detrimental field. Either arrangement is successful in `confusing` living cells, and thereby reducing the harmful effects of the otherwise detrimental field.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending applicationSer. No. 07/642,417, filed Jan. 17, 1991, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The inventions described herein relate in general to arrangements(apparatus and methods) for protecting living systems from the adverseeffects upon them of electric fields, magnetic fields, andelectromagnetic fields. In some instances hereinafter, electric fields,magnetic fields, and electromagnetic fields will all jointly be referredto simply as fields.

More specifically, the inventions are directed to electrical,electronic, electromechanical, and electromagnetic devices, systems, andinstallations and the effect of their concomitant fields on people,animals, and other living systems. The inventions a non-desired andpotentially bioeffecting ambient field into a harmless non-bioeffectingfield by either superimposing on the ambient field a `protection` fieldwhich sanitizes the ambient field, or changing the electrical operationof the device which is producing the ambient field so that its fieldemissions become less harmful. Both arrangements are successful in`confusing` the living cell or cells, thereby reducing the potentiallyharmful effects of the ambient field.

This application incorporates the subject matter set forth in twoappendicies, filed herewith entitled: EVIDENCE THAT BIOEFFECTS CAN BECAUSED BY WEAK ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS and A SUMMARY OF DATADEMONSTRATING THE FACT THAT PROPERLY FLUCTUATING ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDSCAN BLOCK THE BIOEFFECT OF COHERENT STEADY STATE EM FIELDS. 2.Description of Related Art

For some years there has been a growing recognition and concern thathumans are suffering adverse effects, notably cancers, from livingand/or working in ambient electromagnetic fields, particularly thosefields which are alternating or pulsating at extremely low frequencies,or being modulated at extremely low frequencies. Extremely lowfrequencies, hereinafter referred to as ELF, are frequencies of theorder of 1000 Hz and below. Ambient frequencies particularly identifiedwith an enhanced risk of cancer are power line frequencies, which are 60Hz in the U.S. and 50 Hz in the U.K., European Continental countries,and elsewhere. Electromagnetic fields existing near devices usingcathode ray tubes also are implicated, due to fields generated by themagnetic electron beam deflecting devices included in tube controlapparatus.

Various articles have been published on the electromagnetic fieldproblem. Over the past 14 years a series of epidemiological studies havefound that low level electromagnetic fields [even as low as 1 μT (1micro Tesla) produced by 60 Hz power lines can be correlated withincreased incidence of certain diseases. The correlation is strongestfor those who have lived or worked in this environment for many years.For example, an increased risk of cancer has been found among childrenwho lived for several years close to power distribution lines[Wertheimer, N. and Leeper, E. "Electrical Wiring Configurations andChildhood Cancer" AM J EPIDEMIOLOGY, 109, 273-284 (1979); also, Savits,D. A. et al., "Case Control Study of Childhood Cancer and Exposure to60-Hertz Magnetic Fields, " AM J EPIDEMIOLOGY, 128, 10-20 (1988); alsoLondon, D. A. et al. "Exposure To Electric and Magnetic Fields And Riskof Childhood Leukemia", AM. J. EPIDEMIOLOGY, 135, 1069-1070 (1992);also, Milham, S. Jr., "Increased Mortality in Amateur radio OperatorsDue to Lymphatic and Hematopoietic Malignancies," AM. J. EPIDEMIOLOGY,128, 1175-1176 (1988).

The research indicates that children from high electromagnetic fieldexposure homes have a 50 percent greater risk of developing cancer,particularly leukemia, lymphomas, and nervous system tumors. Other dataalso show that men working in electrical jobs, such as electricians andtelephone lineman are at higher risk for brain tumors and other cancers.In a recent study in the Los Angeles area, S. Preston-Martin andcollaborators at the University of Southern California found that menwho had worked for 10 Years or more in a variety of electricaloccupations had a ten times greater chance of getting brain tumors thanmen in the control group. [Preston-Martin, S., and Mack, W. and Peters,Jr. "Astrocytoma Risk Related to Job Exposure to Electric and MagneticFields," presented at DOE contractors Annual Review, Denver Colorado,Nov. 5-8, 1990.]

A study performed by G. Matanoski of Johns Hopkins University found adose response relationship for cancers in male New York Telephoneemployees from 1976 to 1980. [Matanoski, G., Elliot, E. and Breysse, P.Poster presented at the annual DOE/EPRI Contractors Review of BiologicalEffects from Electric and Magnetic Fields, November 1989, Portland,Ore.] Matanoski measured the average magnetic field exposure amongdifferent types of employees including installation and repair workers.A comparison of the cancer rates among the various types of employeesshowed that cable splicers were nearly twice as likely to develop canceras those employees who did not work on telephone lines. Among centraloffice workers those who were exposed to the fields of telephoneswitching equipment the rates of occurrence of cancers were unusuallyhigh, although not as high as for cable splicers. The central officeworkers were more than three times as likely to get prostate cancer andmore than twice as likely to get oral cancer as co-workers who were lessexposed. There were two cases of male breast cancer, a disease so rarethat no cases at all would be expected.

The 60 Hz electromagnetic fields found in residential settings can varyfrom about 0.05 μT to over 1000 μT. In-vitro experiments have definitelyshown that changes in biological cell function can occur in fields aslow or lower than 1 μT and as high as 500 μT. R. Goodman andcollaborators [Goodman, R. and Henderson, A., "Sine Waves EnhanceCellular transcription," BIOELECTROMAGNETICS, 7, 23-29, 1986)]have shownthat RNA levels can be increased by electromagnetic fields ranging infrequency from 15 to 4400 Hz with amplitudes of 18 to 1150 μT. They haveshown that the RNA levels can be enhanced by factors of ten or more.Jutilainen and coworkers [Jutilainen, J., Laara, E. and Saali, K.,INT>J. RADIAT. BIOL., 52,787-793, (1987)] have shown that 1 μT 50-Hertzelectromagnetic fields can induce abnormalities in chick embryos. Thus,electromagnetic fields appear not only to be carcinogenic, but alsocapable of inducing birth defects. Pollack and collaborators, C. T.Brighton, E. O'Keefe, S. R. Pollack and C. C. Clark, J. ORTH. RES. (tobe published), have shown that electric fields as low as 0.1 mv/cm at 60Khz can stimulate growth of bone osteoblasts. McLeod and collaboratorshave found that in the region between 1 Hz and 100 Hz, much lower fieldsare needed to stimulate fibroblast growth than at frequencies above andbelow this range [McLeod, K. J., Lee, R. and Ehrlich, H., "FrequencyDependence of Electric Field Modulation of Fibroblast ProteinSynthesis," SCIENCE, 250, 1465 (1987)].

Other than epidemiologic studies, whole body research on EMF exposurehas generally been limited to animals. Adverse effects fromelectromagnetic field exposure have also been shown demonstrated in thiscase. For example McLean et al. have presented a paper at the ThirteenthAnnual Meeting of the Electromagnetic Society, in June 1991 entitled"Tumor Co-promotion in the mouse skin by 60-Hz Magnetic Fields". Theyhave shown that the number of tumors present is increased by thepresence of the magnetic field. Frolen et al. in a paper presented tothe First European Congress on Bioelectromagnetism in 1991 entitled"Effects of Pulsed Magnetic Fields on the Developing Mouse Embryo". Theyshow that mice exposed to magnetic fields have significantly more fetalresorptions than those which are unexposed. Since the present inventionsnegate all electromagnetic field induced bioeffects, all living systemscan benefit from its application.

One method typically employed in the prior art to protect living systemsfrom the detrimental effects of fields is to shield the field source.The shielding collects the energy of the field, and then typicallygrounds it. In practice shielding is impractical because it mustcompletely cover a field source in order to contain the field. The fieldwill radiate through any openings in the shield. In reality, devicescannot be entirely shielded, therefore, while the shielding method canreduce the field it does not entirely eliminate it or its potentiallyhazardous attributes.

Cathode ray tubes (CRT) are a source of electromagnetic fields to whichpeople are often exposed, for instance television sets and computerscreens. Attempts have been made by others in the art to shield thefield which emanates from CRT's. One type of shield has been devised tosurround the electromagnetic coils of the CRT. Another type of shieldhas been designed to entirely enclose the CRT. The shields whichsurround the coils do not, however, eliminate the field completely, nordo the shields which entirely enclose the CRT. These methods are oftenprohibitively expensive and often do not offer complete elimination ofthe detrimental effect of the fields.

Another method typically used in the prior art to protect living systemsfrom electromagnetic fields is to balance the field from the source sothat the source effectively cancels its own field, thus ideallyproducing no offending field. For instance, the AC power distribution tohomes and industries is typically carried over unshielded bare copperwires, suspended in the air from towers. These lines are usually eithertwo-phase or three-phase. Theoretically these lines can be arrangedphysically and by phase such that the EMF fields produced by theindividual lines are each canceled by the other power line(s). Inpractice, however, this power cancellation is not complete and anambient field still results. Also, the costs involved to produce a powerdistribution system such as this is prohibitively high.

The present inventions have many advantages over the methods employedthus far in the art. Many of the embodiments of the inventions are veryinexpensive, they can provide positive protection for the individual,and they can be provided at the control of the individual. There is noneed to wait until the power company changes the design of its powerdistribution system, or wait until the television or computermanufacturer completely shields the product. Some of the embodiments ofthe inventions enable living systems to have individual protection fromthe detrimental effects of ambient fields, if and when it is desired.Shielding is not always practical, and even when it is practical it isnot always complete. Therefore the present inventions can also providethe user with personal control over the detrimental effects of ambientfields.

To the best of my knowledge, to date no one has heretofore proposed myinventions, although over 12 years have lapsed since the firstrecognition of the dangers of chronic electromagnetic field exposures tohumans. There have been many teachings about the use of electromagneticfields to treat humans for pre-existing diseases or conditions. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,065 (Kraus 1978) describes a coil structureto create a magnetic field for treatment of a hip joint. U.S. Pat. No.4,105,017 (Ryaby 1978) describes a surgically non-invasive method of anapparatus for altering the growth, repair or maintenance behavior ofliving tissues by inducing voltages and concomitant current pulses. U.K.Patent GB 2 188 238 A (Nenov et al. 1986) describes an apparatus allegedto provide analgesic, trophic and anti-inflammatory effects. Costa(1987) U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,898 describes a magnetic coil apparatus fortreatment of malignant cells with little damage to normal tissue. Anapparatus for treatment of diseases of the peripheral and autonomicnervous system as well as other diseases has been described by Solov'evaet al. ("`Polyus-1` Apparatus for Low-Frequency Magnetotherapy," G.Solor'eva, V. Eremin and R. Gorzon, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (Trans. of:Med. Tekh, (USSR)), Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 291-1 (1973).

The above procedures are usually referred to as "magnetotherapeutic"procedures. My inventions focus instead on the prevention of diseasecaused by long term exposure to ambient time varying electric, magneticand electromagnetic fields. To date, no other proposals have beenpresented which utilize modifications of the time dependence of theambient fields to prevent adverse health effects of ambientelectromagnetic fields. Basic to all the patents and articles whichdescribe the treatment of pre-existing diseases by electromagneticfields (magnetic therapy) is the assumption that electric or magneticfields (often of large magnitude, e.g. 1 to 100 micro Tesla (Ryaby1978), if applied for some limited period of time, can beneficiallyalter the functioning of the cells and tissues within living systems.Now it is known that chronic, long term exposure to even very low level,time varying fields (e.g., magnetic fields as low as 0.5 μT) can causesome of the very diseases which short term therapeutic doses of thesefields are used to treat. Methods of protection from the biologicaleffects of magnetic fields have been sorely needed. To find thisprotection it was necessary for me to recognize that magnetic therapy iscarried out by affecting biologic cell function. It had to be realizedthat if magnetic therapy does not affect the physiological functioningof the living system then no therapeutic effect could result. What wasneeded, which the present inventions provide, is a method of modifyingthe ambient fields in which living systems exist in such a way that theyhave no effect on cell function. This modified field has no utility inthe treatment of any disease or biologic malfunction. This modifiedfield is not of any use in magnetic therapy. However, this modifiedfield (because it does not affect the function of the cells and tissuesof the living system) has no adverse health effects. Thus, long termexposure to these modified fields will be safe. These modified fieldswould not, for example, increase the risk of developing cancer.

However, none of the above authors, or anyone else before me, haddiscovered that periodically changing these very low ambient fields asdescribed elsewhere herein can prevent harmful effects ofelectromagnetic fields.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I have concluded that the aforesaid adverse health effects upon livingsystems (including but not limited to single cells, tissues, animals andhumans) may be inhibited by changing in time one or more of thecharacteristic parameters of the ambient time varying electric, magneticor electromagnetic field to which the living system is exposed. This maybe done in a number of ways, for example, by changes in one or more offrequency (period), amplitude, phase, direction in space and wave formof the field to which the living system is exposed. As for the timeperiod between changes, I have concluded that these time periods shouldbe less than approximately ten (10) seconds, and preferably should notexceed approximately one (1) second. The changes may occur at regular orirregular intervals. If the changes occur at regular intervals theshortest time between changes should be one-tenth (0.1) second orgreater. If the changes occur at irregular random intervals the timebetween changes can be shorter. These changes can be accomplished bysuperimposing these special time-dependent fields upon the ambientfield, or by changing with time the characteristic parameters of theoriginal fields.

The change or changes in the ambient field frequency should be about 10percent or more of the related characteristic parameters of the fieldbefore the change

My proposal to protect living systems from the adverse effects ofelectric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields by creating special ambientfields as aforesaid is based on my conclusion that something must bedone to confuse the biologic cell so that it can no longer respond tothe usual fields found in the home and work place. I have discoveredthat the fluctuating fields mentioned above will prevent the adverseeffects of the usual environmental fields. As above stated, thesefluctuations can occur either in the amplitude, frequency (period),phase, wave form or direction-in-space of the newly created "confusion"field.

To affect cell function some insult (e.g. drug, chemical, virus,electromagnetic field, etc.) will cause a signal to be sent fromreceptors (often at the cell membrane) into the biochemical pathways ofthe cell. Although the exact receptor and signalling mechanism utilizedby the cell to recognize the fields is not known, I have discovered thatthe mechanism of detection of electric, magnetic or electromagneticfields can be stopped by confusing the cell with fields that vary intime in the ways specified herein.

For example, a 60 Hz electromagnetic field having a magnetic componentof 10 μT can cause a two fold enhancement of the enzyme ornithinedecarboxylase. If this field is abruptly changed in frequency,amplitude, wave form, direction or phase at intervals of more than 10seconds, the two fold enhancement persists. If, however, the frequency,amplitude or waveform parameters are changed at approximately 1 secondintervals, the electromagnetic field has no effect. The cell does notrespond because it has become confused. Similar electric fields intissue with amplitudes ranging from 0.1 to 50 μv/cm. can be useful inprotecting the living system from adverse effects. To create thesefields within a living system at 60 Hz the field strength outside theliving systems must be about one million times larger (i.e. 0.1 to 50v/cm.)

I consider that my inventions function best with ambient fields havingan electric component of 50 Kv/M or less and/or a magnetic component of5000 μT or less. As for lesser field strengths, electric components of0.5 Kv/M and/or magnetic components of 5 μT are exemplary. Good resultsare obtained when the confusion field is generated by interruption of acoherent signal (e.g. a 60 Hz sinusoidal wave) and the frequency of thissignal is similar (but not necessarily equal) to the fundamentalfrequency of the ambient field. However, when protecting against theeffects of modulated RF or modulated microwave fields the confusionfield can be effective if it contains only frequency components similar(but not necessarily equal) to those of the modulation. The rmsamplitude of the confusion field should preferably be approximately thesame or larger than that of the ambient field.

The time between changes in properties such as frequency, phase,direction, waveform or amplitude should be less than 5 seconds forpartial inhibition of adverse effects but preferably between one tenth(0.1) second and one (1) second for much more complete protection. Whenthe time between changes is irregular and random (e.g. a noise signal)the time between changes can be less than one tenth (0.1) second. Forexample I have found that complete inhibition can be achieved with anoise signal whose rms value is set equal to the rms value of theambient signal and whose bandwidth extends from thirty (30) to ninety(90) hertz.

It is preferred to have the field to which the living system is exposedbe my confusion field for the duration of the exposure. However, benefitwill be achieved if my confusion field is in existence for only a majorportion of the total exposure time.

I have referred above to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fieldsbecause, insofar as they are distinct, ambient fields of each type arecapable of causing harm to living systems, but if changed according tomy inventions will inhibit the on-set of adverse effects.

I have confirmed the operability of my inventions by severalobservations and procedures. One observation has been the effect ofcoherence time (defined herein as the time interval between changes ofthe characteristic parameters of the fields) of the applied field onbioelectromagnetic enhancement of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) specificactivity. ODC has been found to be intimately linked to the process ofcell transformation and tumor growth.

Specific activities of this highly inducible enzyme were examinedfollowing mammalian cell culture exposure to electromagnetic fields.Monolayer cultures of logarithmically growing L929 cells were exposed tofields alternating between 55 and 65 Hz. The magnetic field strength was1 μT peak. The cells were exposed to the fields for four hours. The timeintervals between frequency shifts varied from 1 to 50 seconds. SeeTable 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Role of Time Intervals Between                                                Frequency Chances on the Effectiveness of                                     Electromagnetic Exposure in Modifying ODC Activity                            Ratio of ODC activity in Exposed                                              Compared to unexposed cells                                                               Time interval between                                                         frequency changes (seconds)                                                   0.1    1     5        10  50                                      ______________________________________                                        ELF (55 to 65 Hz)                                                                           --       1     1.4    1.9 2.3                                   Microwaves    1        1     1.5    2.1 2.1                                   (modulated                                                                    alternatively by                                                              55 and 65 Hz)                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

It can be seen from Table 1, (1), that when the time intervals betweenfrequency shifts in the electromagnetic fields were 10 seconds orgreater, the electromagnetic field exposure resulted in a two-foldincrease in ODC activity. When the time intervals between frequencyshifts (i.e. between 55 Hz and 65 Hz) were shortened to less than 10seconds, the effectiveness of these ELF (extremely low frequency) fieldsin increasing ODC activity diminished. At 1 second and below the fieldhas no effect at all (i.e., the activity of the exposed mammalian cellswas the same as for unexposed cells). Thus we see that introducingchanges in parameters of the electromagnetic field at short enough timeintervals prevents any action of the field on cell function.

This finding applies to electromagnetic frequencies as high as themicrowave region. Similar data were obtained using 0.9 GHz microwavesmodulated at frequencies changing between 55 and 65 Hz at intervals oftime ranging from 0.1 to 50 seconds. A 23 percent amplitude modulationwas used and the specific absorption rate was 3 mW/g. As can be seen intable 1, when the time interval was 10 seconds or greater, thismicrowave field also caused a two-fold increase in ODC activity. Atshorter time intervals the effect of the field on ODC activitydiminished. When the time intervals between changes were one second orless, the field had no effect on ODC activity.

To further demonstrate the protective effect of my confusion fields, Istudied the effects of modulation on the ability of exogenouselectromagnetic fields to act as a teratogen and cause abnormalities inchick embryos. In experimental methods now described, I modulated theamplitude of a 60 Hz electromagnetic field. Fertilized White Leghorneggs were obtained from Truslow Farms of Chestertown, Md. These wereplaced between a set of Helmholtz coils inside an incubator kept at37.5° C. During the first 48 hours of incubation one group of eggs wasexposed to a 60 Hz continuous wave (cw) sinusoidal electromagnetic fieldwhose amplitude was 1 μT. Another group was exposed to a 60 Hz cwsinusoidal electromagnetic field whose amplitude was 4 μT. Another groupof eggs was exposed to a 60 Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field whoseamplitude was varied from 1.5 to 2.5 μT at 1 second intervals. Controleggs were simply placed in the incubator and not exposed to anelectromagnetic field. After 48 hours of incubation the embryos wereremoved from their shells and examined histologically. It was found thatthe control group (not exposed to the 60 Hz magnetic field) exhibitedabout 8 percent abnormalities. The embryo groups exposed to 1 μT and 4μT fields had a higher abnormality rate (14 percent) than the controlsindicating that these fields had indeed induced abnormalities. Thoseembryos exposed to the fields modulated at 1 second intervals had anabnormality rate the same as the unexposed eggs. Thus the 1 secondmodulation (or coherence time) effectively eliminated the teratogeniceffect of the magnetic field.

When an ambient field is present (such as 60 Hz field from a power lineor electrical appliance) which can not be directly modulated, aconfusion field must be superimposed upon the ambient field. I studiedthis superposition effect in several different types of experiments.

As in the experiments above the ornithine decarboxylase levels weremeasured in L929 cells which were exposed to a steady state 10 μT, 60 Hzfield. They displayed a doubling of ornithine decarboxylase activityafter 4 hours of exposure. The exposure was repeated with thesimultaneous application of a) a 10 μT 60 Hz magnetic field and b) arandom EM (noise) magnetic field of bandwidth 30 to 90 Hz whose rmsvalue was set equal to that of the 60 Hz field and whose direction wasthe same as that of the 60 Hz field. Under these conditions nostatistically significant enhancement of the ornithine decarboxylaseactivity was observed. As the rms noise amplitude was lowered, increasedvalues of EMF induced ornithine decarboxylase activity were observed.This can be seen in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Effect of EM noise on 60 Hz EMF enhancement of                                ODC activity in L929 murine cells                                                                        Percent of                                         Noise Amplitude                                                                             Signal/Noise 60 Hz Induced                                      rms (μT)   [signal = 60 Hz]                                                                           Enhancement                                        ______________________________________                                        0             ∞      100 ± 10                                        0.5           20           84 ± 12                                         1.0           10           50 ± 10                                         2.0           5            36 ± 7                                          5.0           2             8 ± 11                                         10.0          1            1 ± 8                                           ______________________________________                                    

It can be seen from Table 2 that when the noise is about equal to thesignal (the 60 Hz field) no biomagnetic effect occurs, but as the rmsnoise amplitude is lowered less protection is afforded by the noisefield.

To demonstrate that the confusion field can be perpendicular to theambient field and still offer protection the ODC experiment using L929murine cells was repeated again using 60 Hz, 10 μT as the stimulatingambient field, but this time the confusion field was generated by coilsaligned perpendicular to the coils generating the ambient magneticfield. The confusion field this time was a 60 Hz field whose amplitudechanged from 5 μT to 15 μT at 1 second intervals. No enhancement of theODC activity was observed under these conditions. The ratio of exposedODC activity to control ODC activity was found to be 1.03±0.08. Thuseven when the confusion field is perpendicular to the ambient field fullprotection against adverse effects can be achieved.

If one wishes to render harmless the magnetic fields of heating devicessuch as electric blankets, heating pads, curling irons, or ceiling cableheat sources for the home, the parameters of the current being deliveredto these devices should be changed at intervals less than 10 seconds, orpreferably at intervals less than 1 second. One method is to turn thecurrent on and off for consecutive 1 second intervals. However thiswould render the heat source inefficient since it could only deliverhalf the average power for which the device is designed. In order toimprove the efficiency I have shown that when a 60 Hz field is on for atime greater than when it is off it can still confuse the cell and nobio-response will occur. The on time should still be preferably on theorder of 1 second. However the off time should not be less than 0.1seconds for full protection. Listed in Table 3 are the results of ODCexperiments using L929 murine cells of the type described above. A 10 μT60 Hz field was applied to the cells. The field was interrupted everysecond for varying time durations. It can be seen that even with offtimes as short as 0.1 seconds the cell is confused and no enhancement ofODC activity occurs. As the off time decreases below 0.1 seconds thecell begins to respond to the magnetic field. For off times as low as0.05 seconds about 70% of full response occurs. It is clear that thepreferable range for off times is from about 0.1 to about 1.0 seconds.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Effect of Interruption Time on 60 Hz EM Field                                 Enhancement of ODC Activity in L929 Murine Cells                                                    Percent of                                              Off Time     On Time  60 Hz Induced                                           (seconds)    (seconds)                                                                              Enhancement                                             ______________________________________                                        0.1          1        3 ± 9                                                0.05         0.95     33 ± 3                                               0.025        0.975    70 ± 17                                              ______________________________________                                    

From these experiments we see that a device which interrupts the currentin heating applications can be at least 90% efficient in terms ofutilizing the full capabilities of the heating system, while at the sametime providing a bioprotective confusion field.

As described above there is considerable epidemiological evidence thatchildren living near power lines have a significantly higher rate ofincidence of childhood leukemia. One method of rendering these fieldsharmless is to create a fluctuating field by stringing on the poles apair of wires shorted at one end and connected to a low voltage currentsource at the other end. The current should fluctuate at the properintervals (e.g. approximately one second intervals would be quiteeffective). Because in this case one is often interested in using aslittle power as possible short duty cycles would be an efficient powersaving strategy. For example we have shown that in the experimentdescribed above and reported in Table 3 the effect of 60 Hz exposure onthe ODC activity in L929 cells can be mitigated by superimposing a 60 Hzfield of equal peak value but which is on for 0.1 s and off for 0.9 s.Thus we save a factor of ten in power in this application relative tothe one second on, one second off, regime.

According to my inventions, there are many different arrangements forconverting an otherwise harmful field into a non-harmful one. Some ofthese are as follows:

One embodiment is to create a confusion field in a living space byplacing several time dependent grounding devices on metal plumbingpipes. These devices cause fluctuating paths for electric current inplumbing pipe and therefore fluctuating fields in any room in the houseor other human or animal-occupied structure.

Another embodiment is to change an otherwise harmful field into anon-harmful one by inserting fluctuating resistance paths in series withheating devices such as electric blankets.

Another embodiment is to create a confusion field by placing devicesnear appliances which generate harmful field to create fluctuatingelectromagnetic fields near the appliances. The confusion field issuperimposed onto the uncontrolled source of the original harmful field.

Another embodiment is to eliminate the hazards created by the field inthe region around electric devices by modulating the electric currentflowing or voltage across the device. The modulation can be controlledby means which are external or internal to the device.

Another embodiment is to eliminate the hazards created by the field inthe region around electric devices, by modulating the electromagneticfield around the device. This modulation can be caused by means whichare external or internal to the device.

Another embodiment is to eliminate the hazards created by the field inthe region surrounding electric heating devices, such as electricblankets, heating pads, and electrically heated water beds, bymodulating the current and/or voltage in the device. This modulation canbe caused by means which are external or internal to the device.

Another embodiment is to eliminate the hazards created by the field inthe region around electric power distribution systems by superimposing amodulated electromagnetic field in the region of space to be protected.

Another embodiment is to eliminate hazards created by theelectromagnetic fields in the region around the metallic plumbing usedto ground electrical lines by superimposing a modulated electromagneticfield in the region of space to be protected. This can be done bypassing modulated currents through the plumbing itself or by passingmodulated currents through external circuits.

Another embodiment is to eliminate hazards created by the field aroundcathode ray tube devices such as video display terminals and televisionsets by superimposing a modulated electromagnetic field. The source ofthis modulated electromagnetic field can be placed either inside oroutside the cathode ray tube device.

Another embodiment is to eliminate hazards created by the field in theregion around a microwave oven by superimposing a modulatedelectromagnetic field in the region of space to be protected.

Another embodiment is to eliminate the hazards created by the field inthe region surrounding electrical power lines.

Clearly many of the above procedures may be adapted to protectlaboratories, industrial plants, etc., wherein cells not in humans or inmulti-cell living systems may exist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

I will next describe various techniques and apparatus for carrying outmy invention. These descriptions will be aided by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plot of amplitude vs. time of a sinusoidal functionmodulated as to amplitude.

FIG. 2 is a plot of amplitude vs. time of a sinusoidal functionmodulated as to frequency.

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c provide a representation of the effect of directmodulation on a 60 Hz sine wave using square wave modulation. FIG. 3d isan enlarged view of the signal of FIG. 3c at the point at which it isswitched.

FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c provide a representation of the effect of directmodulation of a 60 Hz sine wave using DC biased square wave modulation.FIG. 4d is an enlarged view of the signal of FIG. 4c at the point atwhich it is switched.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c provide a representation of the effect of directmodulation of a 60 Hz sine wave using a periodically changed waveform.FIG. 5d is an enlarged view of the signal of FIG. 5c at the point atwhich it is switched.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c provide a representation of the effect ofsuperimposing a band limited noise signal over a sinusoidal signal whosefrequency is within the bandwidth of the noise.

FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c provide a representation of the effect ofsuperimposing a band limited noise signal over a sawtooth signal whosefrequency is within the bandwidth of the noise.

FIGS. 8a and 8b provide a block diagram representation of the directmodulation implementation of the bioprotection feature of theinventions.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram representation of the in-circuit modulator ofthe direct modulation implementation of the bioprotection of theinventions.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram representation of the superpositionmodulation implementation of the bioprotection feature of theinventions.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram representation of the in-circuit modulator ofthe superposition modulation implementation of the bioprotection featureof the inventions.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a circuit for modulating electric currentthrough a plumbing pipe.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a protective circuit for an electric blanket.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a protective apparatus for use with a videodisplay terminal.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of another form of protective circuit for use witha video display terminal.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a protective system for use in a space occupiedby humans and/or animals.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a mat for placement on or under a mattress usedfor sleeping purposes.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of a direct modulation bioprotectiveconverter box.

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram of a direct modulation bioprotectivethermostat.

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of an implementation of a bioprotected hairdryer.

FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram of a detection system to detect thepresence of a bioprotective field.

FIG. 22 is a heating coil configuration with low magnetic fieldemissions for a bioprotected hair dryer.

FIG. 23 is a circuit diagram for control of the heating coilconfiguration of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is bioprotection coil for a computer keyboard.

FIG. 25a is coil arrangement for a bioprotection system for a residenceor other building.

FIG. 25b is a circuit diagram of another possible implementation of abioprotection system for a residence or other building.

FIG. 26 is a circuit diagram for a bioprotection system for a residenceor other building.

FIG. 27 shows an embodiment of the invention implementing thesuperposition technique to create a confusion field in the areasurrounding a power distribution line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Any voltage, current, electric field, magnetic field, or electromagneticfield which varies repetitively in time can be described by itswaveform, peak amplitude (A), frequency (period), direction and phase.Modulation of the wave refers to the time dependent variation of any ofthese parameters. For example, pulse modulation of the amplitude of anyof the parameters refers to a change in amplitude. Two examples of thismodulation are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1 the amplitude ismodulated by a pulse. Thus, for a period of time, T₁, the amplitude ofthe sinusoidally varying voltage is A₁. For a second time period, T₂,the amplitude is A₁. The values of T₁ and T₂ need not be equal but theymust each be about 1 second or less for best results. Many variations inthe modulation of a time varying voltage can be used, such as asinusoidal modulation of the original sine wave. Thus, a 60 Hz sinevoltage could be amplitude modulated by a 1 Hz sinusoidal variation.Another possibility is a saw tooth variation in the amplitude of a 60 Hzsine voltage. In all of the possible modulated fields, at least one ofthe parameters, such as amplitude, waveform, phase, direction orfrequency must not be constant for a time duration of more than about 1second.

Thus, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 the values of T₁ and T₂ must not belonger than about 1 second. For best results, A₁ should be greater than1.2A₂, and preferably greater than 2A₂.

Whenever a microwave field is being modulated at a frequency of 100,000Hz or less, steps should be taken to achieve protection according to myinventions by periodic parameter changing as described herein.

Another method of modulating the detrimental field is by using squarewave modulation. That is, interrupt the power delivered at a regularinterval. The modulation frequency should be preferably of the order ofone second, as guided by the Litovitz invention. The interruption timeshould be preferably between 0.1 and 0.9 seconds, corresponding to aduty cycle between 10% and 90%. FIG. 3 depicts the method of square wavemodulation of a sinusoidal waveform.

Referring to FIG. 3a, a sinusoidal signal is depicted. FIG. 3b depictsthe controlling sequence to the sinusoidal signal of FIG. 3a using thismethod, and FIG. 3c is the resulting bioprotected sinusoidal signal.FIG. 3d is an enlarged view of the signal of FIG. 3c at the point atwhich it is switched.

Another method of modulating the detrimental field is by using DC biasedsquare wave modulation. That is, reduce the power delivered at a regularinterval. The modulation frequency and the interval for amplitudereduction should vary in accordance with this specification. Powerreduction should be preferably of the order of 50%. FIG. 4 depicts themethod of modulation of a sinusoidal waveform by a DC biased squarewave.

Referring to FIG. 4a, a sinusoidal signal is depicted. FIG. 4b depictsthe controlling sequence to the sinusoidal signal of FIG. 4a using thismethod, and FIG. 4c is the resulting bioprotected sinusoidal signal.FIG. 4d is an enlarged view of the signal of FIG. 4c at the point atwhich it is switched.

Another method of modulation of the detrimental field is by usingfrequency modulation of a square wave periodic signal. That is, changethe frequency of the power delivered at a regular interval. The periodand duty cycle should be in accordance with this specification. Thefrequency change should be preferably of the order of 20%.

Another method of modulation of the detrimental field is by using phasemodulation of a square wave periodic signal. That is, change the phaseof the power delivered at a regular interval. The period and duty cycleshould be in accordance with this specification. The phase change shouldpreferably be a multiple of 90 degrees.

Another method of modulation of the detrimental field is by periodicallychanging the waveform of the detrimental field. The period and dutycycle should be in accordance with this specification. The wave shapechange can be for example by full wave rectification. FIG. 5 shows theeffect of modulation by periodically changing the waveform by full waverectification of a sinusoidal waveform.

Referring to FIG. 5a, a sinusoidal signal is depicted. FIG. 5b depictsthe controlling sequence to the sinusoidal signal of FIG. 5a using thismethod, and FIG. 5c is the resulting bioprotected sinusoidal signal.FIG. 5d is an enlarged view of the signal of FIG. 5c at the point atwhich it is switched.

Another method of modulation of the detrimental field is by changing thedetrimental field according to the superposition of a band-limited noisesignal with a pass band preferably in the range below 1000 Hz.

When a superposition field source is used, the interference signal maybe produced by appropriate modulation of coherent AC signals, or bygeneration of noise. FIG. 6 shows the effect of the modulation of asinusoidal waveform by superposition of a band-limited random noisesignal.

Referring to FIG. 6a, a sinusoidal signal is depicted. A superimposedbioprotection field source which has an field in the shape of randomnoise is depicted in FIG. 6b. FIG. 6c is the resulting bioprotectedfield surrounding the living system because of the combination of thesinusoidal signal of FIG. 6a and the bioprotecting field signal of FIG.6b.

FIG. 7 shows the effect of the modulation of a sawtooth waveform bysuperposition of a band-limited random noise signal. Referring to FIG.7a, a sawtooth signal is depicted. FIG. 7b depicts a superimposedbioprotection field source which has an field in the shape of randomnoise, and FIG. 7c is the resulting bioprotected field surrounding theliving system because of the combination of the sinusoidal signal ofFIG. 7a and the bioprotecting field signal of FIG. 7b.

There are essentially two types of embodiments of this invention: (1)direct modulation devices which are placed in the electrical circuit ofthe source of the detrimental field; and (2) superposition devices whichare independent from the detrimental field source but create a confusionfield which is intended to be combined with the detrimental field,creating a bioprotected field.

DIRECT MODULATION EMBODIMENTS

The direct modulation embodiments demonstrate the many possible methodsof directly modulating a regularly oscillating current to minimize itsbioeffecting properties. FIG. 8 is a block diagram which explains thegeneral scheme of the direct modulation technique of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 8a, a standard electrical device contains electricalcomponents which produce field 40 and those electrical components whichdo not produce field 36. All electrical components require a powersource 38 to operate. Therefore, as seen in FIG. 8b, one type ofembodiment of the inventions places an in-circuit modulator 42 betweenthe power source 38 and the detrimental field producing components 40.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram which explains further the in-circuitmodulator 42 of FIG. 8b. The in-circuit modulator 42 directly modulatesthe power flowing into an electrical circuit so as to render itsemanating field harmless (bioprotected field). A power source 38supplies power to the field source components 40 and the circuitry ofthe in-circuit modulator 42. The in-circuit modulator comprises amodulation generator 44 which creates a modulating waveform inaccordance with this invention. The Modulation device driver 46 powersthe modulation device 48. The modulation device directly modulates afundamental property of the power source 38, and then the resultingbioprotected power source powers the field source components 40. Becausethe power source has a fundamental property which is modulated accordingto this specification, the resulting field from the field sourcecomponents, which would otherwise be detrimental, is then renderedbioprotected.

The DC power source 38a represents any DC source of electrical power,for example a battery, an AC line transformer, and an AC linecapacitively coupled DC power supply. The transformer isolated supplycan have large field's in the vicinity of the transformer. However,these fields are mostly localized. The AC line capacitor coupled DCpower supplied can become rather inefficient if the power requirement islarge. An AC line powered transformer isolated regulated DC power supplyis easily constructed using a suitably rated transformer, a half wave orfull wave rectifier, a charging capacitor, and a voltage regulator suchas one of the LM78XX line manufactured by National Semiconductor. An ACline powered capacitor coupled regulated DC power supply is easilyconstructed using for example a MAX610 or MAX611 AC to DC converter ICfrom Maxim Electronics. One disadvantage of the capacitively coupled DCpower supply is that it is not isolated from the AC line.

The modulation generator 44 may be implemented as a timing circuit.There are many possible implementations of a timing circuit. Onealternative is to use a crystal oscillator to generate a base clockfrequency. The period and duty cycle of the control signal may be set byusing the appropriate frequency dividers and combinatorial logic.Another alternative is to use a monostable multivibrator circuit such asthe one based on a 555 timer. An implementation of this circuit is givenin data books published by National Semiconductor, and are well known inthe art. The period and duty cycle are easily changed in this circuit inthe range 50-100%. The complement of the output signal obtained by meansof an inverter, such as the 7404, can be used for values outside thisrange.

The timing circuit may also be implemented using a microprocessor.Microprocessors and microcontrollers are digital devices which canperform a multitude of arithmetic and logic operations under softwarecontrol. More complex timing schemes may be achieved using amicroprocessor, for instance, the duty cycle of the square wave may berandomly varied, however, there is no inherent advantage in the use ofthese complex timing sequences as far as the effectiveness of thebioprotecting action is concerned.

The modulation device driver 46 constitutes the interface between themodulation generator 44 and the modulation device 48. This componentshould ideally provide line isolation to eliminate any possible feedbackfrom the load current to the control logic. A possible implementation isan optoisolated triac/SCR driver such as the MOC3030 made by Motorola.

The modulation device 48 controls a fundamental property of the powersource through the load. The modulation device 48 may be a switchingdevice in the case of current modulation, but because of switch cyclingand overall operating lifetime requirements, this component musttypically have a life time of at least one billion switching cycles.Solid state switches implemented with triacs or SCR's are ideally suitedfor this application. An example of a suitable triac for 115 V operationis one of the MAC3030 series made by Motorola.

SUPERPOSITION MODULATION EMBODIMENTS

Another technique and device for implementation of the inventions is tosuperimpose a confusion field signal upon the detrimental field. Thesource of the confusion field can be a coil driven, for instance, bycircuitry similar to that used for the direct modulation scheme. Theconfusion field created by the coil or otherwise field producing device,is used to superimpose an appropriate confusion field over the ambientdetrimental field. The general scheme of this technique is depicted inFIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 10, a confusion field source 50, typically acoil structure, is placed in proximity to the detrimental field and theliving system to be protected. The confusion field source 50 is thenpowered by a current source 38b, with the current from source 38bmodulated by at least one fundamental property through an in-circuitmodulator 42 of the type described in this specification.

As previously noted, to be effective the amplitude of the bioprotectionsignal must be at least as large as that of the detrimental field. Oneapproach to meet this requirement is to establish a signal level highenough to cover the normally expected magnetic field fluctuations.Alternatively, in cases where the ambient magnetic field is expected tovary, the bioprotection signal level could be adjusted in response tochanges in the average magnetic field.

It has been experimentally shown that the bioprotection field need notbe continuously present to be effective. For instance, a bioprotectionperiodic signal which is turned on and off in subsequent one secondintervals is still effective. This property is useful in implementing abioprotection scheme which is responsive to changes in the magneticfield environment. During the signal off time the bioprotection coil maybe used to measure the prevailing magnetic field. A coil can accuratelymeasure only magnetic fields which are uniform across the areacircumscribed by the coil. If the bioprotection coil is large it wouldmeasure an average magnetic field, that is, the effects of localizedfields would, in general, be averaged out. If the prevailing magneticfield environment is in large part due to a source producing a widerange magnetic field, such as a high tension power line, the coilmeasurement would be more indicative of the actual conditions.

One embodiment of the superposition modulation technique uses theembodiment of the direct modulation scheme, depicted in FIG. 10. In onecase the fundamental property of the current from the current sourcechosen to be modulated would be amplitude, but it could be some otherfundamental property such as frequency. But modulated coherent signals,other than line frequency signals, are more difficult to generate andtherefore are not a convenient choice.

Another technique of superposition modulation is depicted in FIG. 11.This technique employs a noise generator 52 followed by a band passfilter 54 and power amplifier 56. These devices are powered by a powersource 38, and drive a confusion field source 50, e.g. a coil or similarfield radiating device. The components of this scheme are described inthe following paragraphs.

If the power requirements are low, the power source 38 may beimplemented using one of the methods described above. Standard methodsdescribed in the literature (e.g., National Semiconductor LinearApplications Handbook) may be used for applications with higher powerrequirements.

There are many techniques to generate noise signals for use as the NoiseGenerator 52. The following methods are suitable for situations in whichthe implementing circuit should not add significantly to the overallsize of the application.

A noise signal may be generated by amplifying shot noise from a solidstate device such as a zener diode. Electric current is defined as theflow of discrete electric charges. Shot noise results from statisticfluctuations of the current due to the finiteness of the charge quantum.The noise generated in this case is white Gaussian noise. An alternativemeans to produce noise is using digital techniques. A pseudo randomdigital sequence may be generated using a bank of n shift registers inwhich the output register is logically combined with one or moreprevious registers and feedback to the input register. Long sequenceswhich are apparently random can be generated in this way. The sequencerepeats itself after 2^(n) - 1 shift cycles. It is easily seen that theshift register length can be made large enough to make an essentiallyrandom bit generator over the time of use of the sequencer. This circuithas been implemented in a special purpose IC, the MM5437 from NationalSemiconductor, which can be used as the noise generator for theapplication described herein.

The effectiveness of a confusion field is based on the premise that thebiosystem senses the changing characteristics of the bioprotectionsignal and does not initiate a bioresponse. Based on experimentalevidence, supported by the dielectric properties of biological cells,biosystems are more responsive to ELF fields. Therefore thebioprotection signal is expected to be sensed more effectively whenoperating in the ELF frequency range. Noise generation as described inthe previous paragraph results in a wide band signal which must befiltered to produce a signal in the ELF range. Experimental evidenceindicates that a noise signal with bandwidth between 30 and 100 Hz canbe effective in inhibiting the bio-response when the rms amplitude ofthe noise is equal to or larger than the rms amplitude of the coherentsignal. A bandpass filter 54 may be implemented either with a passiveelement network or with op-amp based circuits. The op-amp implementationis simpler having less components for an equivalent filter. There arevarious types of band-pass filter 54 implementations using op-amps:amongst them Butterworth, Chebyshev and Bessel filters. The sharpness ofthe response may be increased by increasing the number of poles of thetransfer function of the filter. A 2-pole low pass Chebyshev filterdesigned to have a 0.5 Db ripple on the pass band was found to be onepossible adequate implementation for this application. In thisimplementation the low frequency cut-off for the bandpass filter 54 atthe specified frequency of 30 Hz is set up by the natural response ofthe circuit components.

Because of the ability to perform mathematical operations, amicrocontroller may be used as the modulation generator 44. Confusionfield signals designed to have amplitude or frequency changes or bothover specific ranges of each period may be easily generated undersoftware control. Likewise, a noise signal may be digitally generatedwith an algorithm which mimics the shift register noise generatingimplementation described earlier, or using other standard techniques.The bandpass filter 54 may also be performed digitally to reproduce theChebyshev filter hardware implementation previously described or anyother suitable filter implementation. In all these cases the output ofthe microprocessor controlled modulation generator signal dictates thecurrent signal which is passed from the current source 38b to theconfusion field source 50.

Amplification of the modulated signal may be achieved using an amplifiermodule of the same type already described. A power amplifier 56 may benecessary to power the confusion field source (i.e. a multiple turn wireloop or coil). The output of the bandpass filter 54 is typically notsuited to drive a low impedance complex load such as a coil. A poweramplifier 56 is needed to allow adequate current flow through this load.The power amplifier 56 design depends on the current requirements. Twopower amplifier IC's covering a wide power range are the 7 Watt LM383and the 140 Watt LM12, both made by National Semiconductor. Otherstandard op-amp based amplifier circuits are available in the generalliterature.

The confusion field source 50 must be designed to induce the desiredconfusion field within the region where the detrimental field is to bebioprotected. It should be noted that experimental evidence shows thatthe direction of the bioprotecting magnetic field is not importantrelative to the bioeffecting field. This allows some freedom in thedesign of the confusion field source 50. The selected configuration fora particular application also depends on space constraints, for instanceif the confusion field source is to be incorporated as part of anexisting electrical device without changing its general externalconfiguration. In cases where bioprotection from a localized fieldarising from a small electrical device is sought, the confusion fieldsource 50 would, for instance, be designed to surround the detrimentalfield source, or be strategically located in the proximity of thedetrimental field source. Situations in which the range of thedetrimental field is large, for instance with the large heating coils inelectrically heated homes, or within power line fields, may require amuch larger range of protection. Large coils circumscribing the area tobe protected would be adequate in this case. Multiple coils would benecessary when the required range of protection is large in alldimensions as would be the case in a multi-story building.

Protection from leakage currents running through copper plumbing mayreadily be achieved, as shown in FIG. 12. With reference to FIG. 12,devices 10 are switches either electronically or mechanically controlledwhich switch on and off at intervals of one second (e.g. one second onand one second off). During the "on" intervals this will cause some ofthe current flowing past point A and B in the copper pipe 12 toalternately flow through ground rather than entirely through the pipe.Thus, the current flow from A to B (which creates an electromagneticfield in the working and living spaces of the structure) will bemodulated (by reduction in current) at intervals of no greater than onesecond. The number of devices needed will depend on the complexity ofthe piping.

Protection from electric blankets is readily achieved. FIG. 13 shows theheating circuit of the electric blanket. Device 14 (the protectivecircuit) is a switch which turns the electric current through theblanket 16 on and off at intervals of one second. The device 14 need notswitch the current completely off. It could, for example, reduce thecurrent by 50 percent, and then within one second return the current toits full value. The device 18 is the usual thermostat supplied withelectric blankets. Neither the "on" nor the "off" interval should begreater than 5 seconds, and should be preferably one second.

Harmful effects of video display terminals may be avoided, as shown inFIG. 14. Referring to FIG. 14, the video display terminal 20 isprotected by a source 22 of electromagnetic field. B_(VDT) and B_(PD)are, respectively, the magnetic fields of the video display terminal(VDT) and the protective device (PD). The average amplitude of B_(PD) atany point in the region to be protected should be greater than 50percent of the amplitude of the field due to the VDT. Preferably, theaverage amplitude B_(PD) should be at least twice the amplitude ofB_(VDT). If the protective field of PD is in the same direction as theVDT field it will be most effective. If the PD field is perpendicular tothe VDT field, it must be five times larger than the VDT field.

FIG. 15 shows a system similar to that shown in FIG. 14, however FIG. 15shows the PD 24 as a coil mounted around the VTD 20.

The protective device can be any device which generates a time varyingmodulated electromagnetic field. For example, if a coil with ten turnsof wire is to be used, it can be mounted either as in FIG. 14, or inFIG. 15. In FIG. 14 the coil is placed on a surface near the VDT andoriented so that its field intersects the field of the VDT. In FIG. 15the coil is placed around the outer edge of the front of the VDT. In atypical VDT the coil could be a square about 40 cm on each side. Theaverage current in the coil should be adjusted so that the average fieldat the front and center of the monitor due to the coil is preferablyabout equal to that field at the same point due to the VDT. For example,if the average field at the very front of the monitor is 10 μT a 10 turncoil of wire 40 cm on edge could have a 60 Hz cw current ofapproximately 0.35 amps flowing through it. The current could bealternatively 0.5 amps for 1 second and then 0.2 amps for 1 second.

It will be understood that a standard TV set (one case of VDT) can beprotected in the same manner as VDTs or "computers". Oscilloscopes maysimilarly be protected.

Large areas may also be protected, as shown in FIG. 16. Referring toFIG. 16, large coils of wire 26, 28 (e.g. 7 ft high by 7 ft wide) aremounted on or near opposite walls of a room, or on the floor andceiling. The latter configuration is more effective than the former whenthe ambient fields are in a vertical direction. It is assumed that theroom is exposed to a cw electromagnetic field that is dangerous toliving systems. Modulated current (e.g., "on" and "off" at one secondintervals) flows through the coils. The current and the modulation incoil 26 is kept in phase with the current and modulation in coil 28. Thepair of coils act as Helmholtz coils and tend to keep the field in theprotected region more uniform than if a single coil were used. Theaverage amplitude of the current in the coils should be such that theelectromagnetic field produced by the coils at every point in the regionto be protected is at least 50 percent of the ambient field andpreferably 5 to 10 times the ambient value.

A single coil can be used instead of the a pair of coils. The larger thecoil the better; a larger coil will provide a more uniform protectedregion than a small one.

Special mats containing coils can be used in the home, laboratory, orother living system inhabited place to provide general protection. Forexample, a large percentage of the time spent at home is by a humansleeping on a bed. Thus, it would be useful for those who live nearpower distribution lines to use a device which puts the human in aprotective "confusion" field during the time during which he is lying onthe bed. FIG. 17 shows the use of a coil structure to produce aconfusion field in a mattress.

As shown in FIG. 17, this can be done by embedding a many turn coil ofwire 30 in a mat 32 and placing this mat either on or under the mattress34, but near the head of the bed for maximum protection of the vitalorgans. The wire should be of low resistance, since it would be usedyear round and should not have significant heating of the bed or itsoccupants. This coil of wire would have the modulated current flowingthrough it during all seasons. The modulated electromagnetic field wouldprotect the occupants of the bed from the ambient electromagnetic fieldsin the room. For example for a queen size bed a square coil of wire with10 turns approximately 60 inches by 60 inches square and with 0.14amperes of current flowing will yield at the center of the coil amagnetic field in the vertical direction of about 1 micro Tesla. If thebed is over 100 feet away from a power line 20 feet in the air, theambient magnetic field due to the power line is also in the verticaldirection. Thus, we have an optimum alignment of the field of the coiland that of the power line. To create a confusion field the current inthe coil should vary from about 0.03 amperes to 0.07 amperes and back atleast once every second yielding a coil field at the center whichfluctuates between 0.5 and 0.2 μT. Assuming that the power line is 1 μT,the total field near the center will (if the coil field is in phase withthe power line field) change from 1.2 μT to 1.5 μT and back everysecond. If the fields are out of phase the net field will vary from 0.5to 0.75 μT every second. Either of these conditions would protect theoccupants from exposure to the power line field. The above coil could becombined within an electric blanket so that the blanket would serve adual purpose of heating and protecting.

Such mats also may be adapted for use with chairs, or placed on tablesor kitchen counters, or wherever humans or animals spend considerabletime.

CONVERTER BOX EMBODIMENT

The converter box is an embodiment which employs the direct modulationtechnique of this invention. Electrically powered devices operating atpower line frequencies and using resistive type elements to generateheat are always surrounded by a magnetic field induced by the flow ofelectric current through the heating element(s). The magnitude and rangeof the magnetic field emissions are a function of the geometry of theheating element(s) and the amplitude of the current passing through it.The present embodiment makes use of the direct modulation technique in ageneral purpose device which converts line power into a minimallybioeffecting format. Because of its function the device is herein aftercalled the `converter box`. Its use is as an add-on bioprotection modulefor standard resistive type heating devices.

FIG. 18 shows the circuit diagram for a converter unit which modulatesthe fundamental property of amplitude of standard household electricalcurrent, for use by an external appliance. Referring to FIG. 18, theconverter box is designed for connection to a standard household powerline outlet, for instance a 120 V, 60 Hz outlet, either directly throughan integral plug or via a power cord 74. The line power is thenmodulated within the converter box using one of the methods for directmodulation previously described and made available in its modulated formthrough a power outlet on the converter box. The electric and magneticfield emissions from a resistive type heating device operating from themodulated outlet of the converter box are similarly modulated andtherefore become negligible bioeffectors.

The converter box may be used, for example, with electric blankets,electric heating pads, curling irons, and other low power resistive heatdevices. Use with devices incorporating fan motors or other inductiveloads is not recommended, because line power modulation may causeimproper operation of an inductive load. One possible circuitimplementation of the converter box is shown in FIG. 18. Thisimplementation uses a 1 second period and a 90% duty cycle. If no powerloss is desired from the bioprotection modulation the switching devicemay be implemented as a DPDT switch connecting either to the linefrequency or to a full wave rectified line frequency signal.

The converter box is plugged into a power source 74, e.g. a householdcircuit. The switching device 76 intercepts the hot line 80 of the powersource 74, while the neutral line 78 is jumpered directly between thepower source 74 and the bioprotected outlet 72. The switching device 76resides between the hot line 80 of the power source 74 and the hot line82 of the bioprotected outlet 72. The converter box implements a controlsignal generator 68 and a switching device driver 70 in conformance withthe disclosure of direct modulation methods described herein.

BIOPROTECTED THERMOSTAT EMBODIMENT

In-line thermostats are devices used to control current flow in responseto changes in temperature relative to a set level. Although many circuitdesigns are possible to implement the inventions described herein, onewill be described. The circuit for an embodiment of a thermostat isdepicted in FIG. 19. In this embodiment, current control is achieved bymeans of a modulation device 92. Control of the modulation device 92 isachieved through the use of a modulation device driver 90, along with atemperature control circuit 84, and modulation generator 86. Thetemperature control circuit 84 and the modulation generator 86 areNANDed together and input to the modulation device driver 90. Onepossible implementation of the modulation device driver 90 uses a triac,such as the MAC3030 or MAC3031 made by Motorola or another suitablyrated unit, for the switching device. The modulation device driver 90would be controlled by logically NANDing a signal from a temperaturecontrol circuit 84, (e.g. a circuit using an LM3911 temperaturecontroller made by National Semiconductor), and a signal from amodulation generator 86. The modulation generator 86 may be implementedusing a 555 timer connected as a monostable multivibrator. The simplestmethod to implement the bioprotection feature is by periodicallyswitching off the field. A duty cycle of 90% with a period of 1 secondcould be used to minimize the effect of the modulation on the heatingefficiency. If no heating loss is desired from the modulation, thelatter may be implemented by switching between no rectification and fullwave rectification. However, in this case the modulation device 92controlled by the temperature control circuit 84 would be connected inseries with the modulation device driver 90 and would operateindependently from the latter. The lines 94 and 96 into the modulationdevice 92 complete the circuit to the load for which thermostaticcontrol is desired.

BIOPROTECTED HAIR DRYER (Superposition Modulation Technique) Embodiments

Hair dryers, like other electrically powered devices operating at powerline frequencies and using resistive type elements to generate heat,cause magnetic fields induced by the flow of electric current throughthe heating element(s). Most hair dryers operate by blowing heated airthrough a large nozzle. The air is heated as it passes through a set ofheating coils mounted within the nozzle. The primary sources of magneticfield emissions are the heating coils, and the fan blower motor. Innormal operation the nozzle of the hair dryer is pointed towards thehead. Therefore, the magnetic field emissions from the heating coil atthe head of the user, are often larger in magnitude than those from thefan motor. The magnetic field emissions from most standard hair dryersare of relatively high amplitude and are therefore bioeffecting fields.The embodiment described in this section incorporates the bioprotectionfeatures of the inventions into a standard hair dryer. In addition, aheating coil arrangement designed to have low magnetic field emissionsis described.

In the present application the bioprotected feature may be incorporatedeither by direct modulation of the current that passes through theheating coils or by superposition modulation. In the case of directmodulation, the current passing through the heating coils can bemodulated using one of the methods described in the direct modulationsection, or the method described in the thermostat example above. Instandard hair dryers, it is common to use a low voltage DC motor todrive the fan. The current through the motor is limited by a heatingcoil connected in series with it. When direct modulation is employed, asprescribed in this invention, the design of the hair dryer may requirethat the modulation be imposed in such a way that it affects only thecurrent passing through the heating coils which are not connected inseries with the motor.

A circuit similar to that of FIG. 19 would be appropriate, with amodulation device driver 90 selected to handle the power requirements ofthe hair dryer, e.g. incorporating the MAC3030-15 triac, manufactured byMotorola.

When the superposition method is used, the confusion field may beimposed using a confusion field source, in this case a coil structure,slipped over the heating coil(s) located within the nozzle of the hairdryer. The modulation device which drives the external coil may bemodulated using any of the methods described herein for superpositionmodulation. One possible circuit implementation of the bioprotected hairdryer with superposition modulation is shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 depicts a noise generator 98, with its resulting signal fedthrough a low pass filter 100, and then amplified enough by a poweramplifier 102 to power the confusion field source 106 (in this case acoil structure).

A sensing circuit which detects, for indication to the user, that aconfusion field is present can be implemented in any of the embodimentsdescribed herein. One possible circuit diagram for such a sensingcircuit is shown in FIG. 21.

Referring to FIG. 21, the sense input 108 is a signal received from theconfusion field source 50, such as the coil 106 in FIG. 20. In thisembodiment, the existence of the confusion field is indicated by an LED112.

To reduce the power requirement to the confusion field source coil 106,it is preferable to design the heating coils for low magnetic fieldemissions. One possible configuration which achieves this goal is shownin FIG. 22. FIG. 22 shows the coil structure formed around a structure114 made of mica. The coil H3 runs anti-parallel to coil H2.

FIG. 23 shows a circuit for controlling the heating coils of FIG. 22. Inthis configuration two heating coils, H2 and H3, are connected inparallel in such a way that equal currents run in opposite directions ineach coil. This arrangement reduces the magnetic field emissions sincemagnetic fields are induced in opposite directions thus partiallycanceling each other. Coil H1 allows the use of a low voltage motor forthe fan.

To most effectively inhibit the bioeffecting potential of the magneticfield from the heating coil, the external coil should produce a magneticfield oriented along the same direction as the heating coil field. Thismay be accomplished by winding a solenoidal type coil over the reflectorshield which provides a thermal barrier between the heating coil and thenozzle plastic body. For a fixed number of turns, the external coilresistance may be adjusted by the choice of wire gauge. For instance,the driving circuit of FIG. 20 can produce a suitable bioprotectionfield when driving a 280 turn, 2 inch diameter, 14.5 Ω solenoidal coilmade with 28 gauge wire.

BIOPROTECTED KEYBOARD EMBODIMENT

Video display terminals use magnetic deflection coils to control thevertical and horizontal scans. The magnetic field from the deflectioncoils are typically sawtooth waves oscillating in the neighborhood of 60Hz and 20 KHz. The lower frequency emissions produce magnetic fields ofthe order of 10 μT at the center of the display screen. These fields arequickly attenuated with distance away from the screen. However, usersoften sit within a foot or so of the face of the monitor where themagnetic field can be in the range 0.4-2.4 μT (Hietanen, M and Jokela,K., "Measurements of ELF and RF Electromagnetic Emissions from VideoDisplay Units", Work with Display Units 89, Ed. Berlinguet L. andBerthelette D., Elsevier Science Publishers, 1990). The higher frequencyemissions, which fall within the RF range, produce magnetic fields whichcan be as large as 0.7 T at the center of the display screen. Thesefields decay to around 10-1010 nT at 12 inches from the face of themonitor (Hietanen '90). As previously noted, experimental evidenceindicates that the bio-effecting potential of electromagnetic fields ismore significant at lower frequencies. It has been shown that magneticfields of the type used for the vertical scan control in video displayterminals can produce biological effects even with levels as low as 0.5μT .

The embodiment described in this section makes use of thesuperimposition principle delineated in the superposition modulationsection to create a device which provides the bioprotecting effect of aconfusion field in the region where a user would ordinarily be exposedto the magnetic field emissions from a video display terminal or othersources in the vicinity of the terminal. The device forms an integralpart of a computer keyboard and is consequently referred to as abioprotected keyboard. The coil structure for a keyboard of thisembodiment is shown in FIG. 24.

Referring to FIG. 24, this device uses a coil 134 as its confusion fieldsource 50, installed within a computer keyboard 136 and operated bycircuitry integral to the circuitry of the keyboard. Power to operatethe coil is derived from the host computer via the standard keyboardinterface connection 138. The presence of the coil 134 does notinterfere with any of the operations of the keyboard 136 and istransparent to the user except for an indicator LED 140 which advisesthe user of the proper operation of the bioprotection feature. Electriccurrent, modulated as per the methods described herein, is passedthrough the coil 134 to induce a confusion field designed to bioprotectthe field emissions from the monitor at the user location withoutinterfering with the proper operation of the monitor. The coil 134 isdriven by a in-circuit modulator 42 designed to inject suitable powerinto the coil 134 using one of various possible methods.

The range of protection of this device is ideally within approximately afoot or so from the keyboard, therefore it is most effective when thekeyboard is held closest to the user. In some cases the detrimentalfield emissions from the monitor may be too high to be adequatelybioprotected by a coil 134 powered from the standard keyboard powersupply. In these situations it may be advantageous to drive the coilwith an external power source. In the latter case the power driventhrough the coil can be made as high as necessary to produce therequired confusion field according to this invention. A possiblelimitation to the power applied to the coil 134 is the possibility ofjitter created on the screen display by the proximity of the coil 134.

The confusion field source may be implemented as a coil 134 concealedwithin the keyboard 136 as in FIG. 24, or it may be placed on top ornear an existing keyboard. In general it would be advantageous to makethe coil 134 as large as possible as this would increase the range ofthe magnetic field and decrease the power requirements. One possiblemeans to increase the size of the coil 134 is by fitting the keyboard136 with a large base to house the coil. In addition the coil resistanceshould be small enough to allow sufficient current flow from theavailable power source. As an example, a 6.5 inch by 17.25 inch 50 turnrectangular coil made with 28 gauge wire has a resistance of about 13Ω.This coil can be satisfactorily driven with the circuit of FIG. 20.

HOME BIOPROTECTION SYSTEM EMBODIMENT

Another embodiment of the superposition modulation technique is the homebioprotection system.

Most homes have numerous sources of field, including all electricallyoperated devices. In addition, residences located in the proximity ofhigh voltage tension lines are also subjected to the field emissionsfrom those lines. These emissions can be significant in the vicinity ofpower lines of high current carrying capacity. Another source of fieldresults from the flow of leakage current through ground paths. Theseleakage currents can in some cases be relatively large when they arecaused by current imbalances created by unequal current usage betweentwo phases of a circuit. In general, the high and low leads of a circuitrun parallel and in close proximity to one another. This type ofelectric cable, e.g. Romex cable, is most often used in residentialinstallations. Current flow through this type of cable induces magneticfields of relatively short range. The magnetic fields decrease withdistance away from the conductors as the inverse of the cube of half thedistance between the leads. If the hot and neutral leads of a circuitrun separated from one another, the flow of current through such acircuit can generate field which cover a wider range. These fieldemissions are relatively uniform within the area circumscribed by thewires and extend relatively unattenuated within a distance equal to onethird the loop radius above and below the plane of the loop. The presentembodiment describes a technique to negate the detrimental nature ofthese field fields by providing a blanket type protection covering theentire living area of a home.

The home/area bioprotection device consists of a large multiturn coilpositioned in the perimeter of a residence, playground or other area tobe protected. Two possible coil configurations for use in the protectionof a home or large area are shown in FIGS. 25a and 25b. FIG. 25a depictsan underground coil structure 124 which surrounds the area desired to beprotected. The control unit 126 is typically placed inside the house, oroutside in a weatherproof container. The home bioprotection system coils128 and 130 of FIG. 25b are of a helmholtz configuration, as describedearlier. One coil 128 is placed above the living area, while the other130 is placed below it. The control unit 132 is similar to the controlunit 126 of FIG. 25a, however it typically drives two coils instead ofjust one.

Electric current, modulated as prescribed in this invention, is passedthrough the coils 124, 128 and 130 to induce a bioprotection magneticfield. The coils are driven by an in-circuit modulator 50 designed toinject a suitable current into the confusion field source (in this casea coil structure). The coil 124, 128 and 130 current may be generatedusing any one of the methods described above. One possible circuitimplementation is shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 26 depicts the circuit diagram for a superposition technique whichcreates a confusion field to bioprotect an entire living area. Themodulation generator 116 implemented in this embodiment generates arandom noise signal. This signal is then passed through the low passfilter 118, pre-amplifier 120 and power amplifier 122. The confusionfield source which is driven is a coil structure 150.

The range of protection of the home bioprotection system device dependson the magnitude of the current passing through the coil and the radiusof the coil. The induced confusion field within the area circumscribedby the coil at the plane of the coil is relatively uniform. Theconfusion field decreases with distance along the coil axis, however,the attenuation is not significant within a distance of the order of 1/2the coil radius. Therefore the protected area includes a cylindricalregion circumscribing the coil and extending a distance approximatelyequal to 1/2 the coil radius above and below the plane of the coil. Fora given current rating and number of turns of the coil the confusionfield at the plane of the coil increases with decreasing radius.Therefore for larger areas a larger current rating is required tomaintain a confusion field with adequate amplitude to affordbioprotection of the entire area. In general, the device should bedesigned to produce a confusion field suitable for the "average"regularly oscillating detrimental field measured within an area to beprotected. A confusion field of 1 μT is suitable in most situations. Thedetrimental field emissions in the proximity of devices with motors canbe much larger, but they generally drop off quickly away from thesource. When the time of exposure in the proximity of a detrimentalfield source is large, a device affording localized protection would bemore suitable, e.g. the bioprotected keyboard, the bioprotected hairdryer, and the converter box unit.

POWER DISTRIBUTION LINE BIOPROTECTION SCHEME EMBODIMENT

In a multi-user system, electric power from a central station isdelivered to each user via a network of distribution lines. Such anetwork might consist of a series of primary trunks from which secondarylines branch out in successive steps to the final distribution points.The flow of current through each branch of the network depends on thepower demands of all users drawing current from that branch. It is easyto see that in large power distribution systems the primary trunks mustbe capable of handling very large power requirements. The voltage andthe current in these power transmission lines are the source of largeelectric and magnetic fields. Since the voltage is referenced to groundlevel, the line voltage establishes a large electric potential betweenit and ground. Line voltages of 500 KV and 230 KV are typical fortransmission lines leaving a primary distribution station. A 500 KV lineis typically hung 42 feet from the ground therefore establishing anelectric field of 39 KV/m beneath it. Experimental evidence indicatesthat electric fields of this order of magnitude can affect biologicalfunction [Freed, C. A., McCoy, S. L., Ogden, B. E., Hall, A. S., Lee,J., Hefeneider, S. H., "Exposure of Sheep to Whole Body field ReducesIn-Vitro Production of the Immunoregulatory Cytokine Interleukin 1"Abstract Book, BEMS Fifteenth Annual Meeting, 1993].

The flow of current through a power transmission line causes theinduction of magnetic fields on planes perpendicular to the direction ofcurrent flow. The magnetic field is oriented tangential to circularpaths around the conductor. At distances far removed from a singleconductor, the magnetic field decreases in proportion to the inverse ofthe distance. In single phase circuits two transmission lines arerequired to deliver power, one to carry the current to the load andanother one to return the current to the source and complete thecircuit. If the two lines were placed immediately next to each other,the magnetic field from the transmission line pair would tend to cancelbecause induced by currents of equal magnitude but opposite direction.In practice transmission lines with high voltages must be separated by aminimum distance to prevent dielectric breakdown of the air between theconductors. Consequently, the magnetic fields do not cancel. Forexample, in the case of 50 KV lines which are typically positioned 30ft. apart, the magnetic field at the edge of the right of way can be ofthe order of 3 μT during peak power consumption intervals when thecurrent is of the order of 1000 Amperes. The width of the right of wayis usually 150 ft. so that the horizontal distance from the edge to thenearest conductor is 60 ft. Residences located at the edge of the rightof way can be exposed to relatively high magnetic fields. Experimentalevidence previously referred to shows that magnetic fields as low as 0.5μT can cause bioeffects.

The magnetic fields from transmission lines can be rendered harmless bysuperimposing a bioprotection field. In one embodiment of thisinvention, the bioprotection fields can be induced by current passingthrough one or two additional conductors running parallel to thetransmission line conductors. The bioprotection current must be suchthat the magnitude of the induced bioprotection magnetic field is equalto or larger than that from the transmission lines. This can be achievedfor example with a line frequency signal (e.g. 60 Hz) which is turned onfor 0.1 seconds in subsequent one second intervals. The modulation wouldbe imposed at the power station or substations using a low voltagecurrent source. The power consumption of the bioprotection field islimited by the fact that this field is on only ten percent of the timeas well as by a lower voltage rating for this line relative to the mainhigh voltage transmission line. Assuming that a current equivalent tothat flowing in the transmission line is required to produce thebioprotection field, and a 100 V line is used for the protection circuitfor a 500 KV line, the power consumption of the bioprotection circuitwould be fifty thousand times lower than that of the main transmissionline. FIG. 27 shows one implementation of the superposition technique tocreate a confusion field in the area surrounding a power distributionline.

Referring to FIG. 27, a power distribution line 154, 156 is strungoverground, through the use of electrical insulators 162 supported bypoles 168. A static wire 152 is seen as a protection from lightning. Theconfusion field is generated by the bioprotection wires 158 and 160,which form a single loop coil structure. The bioprotection wires 158 and160 are also hung from insulators 162. The bioprotection wires 158 and160 are hung below the static wire 152.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for creating a bioprotective electromagneticfield comprising the combination of:an electrical coil for generating anelectromagnetic field; and an electrical power conversion device, havingan input and an output, for modulating within time intervals of lessthan 10 seconds one or more fundamental properties of an electricalpower source when said electrical power source is applied to said input,said fundamental properties including amplitude, period, phase, waveformand polarity, said output of said electrical power conversion devicebeing coupled to said coil for driving said coil, whereby said coilgenerates a bioprotective electromagnetic field.
 2. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said time intervals are random intervals,the largest of which is less than 10 seconds.
 3. An apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said time intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 4. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical powerconversion device modulates the amplitude of the electrical powersource.
 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electricalpower conversion device modulates the period of the electrical powersource.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electricalpower conversion device modulates the waveform of the electrical powersource.
 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electricalpower conversion device modulates polarity of the electrical powersource.
 8. An apparatus for creating a bioprotective electromagneticfield in a hair dryer comprising the combination of:a hair dryer havinga heating coil; an electrical coil for producing an electromagneticfield, said coil being shaped and positioned so that it surrounds saidheating coil of said hair dryer; and an electrical power conversiondevice, having an input and having an output coupled to drive said coil,for changing within time intervals of less than 10 seconds one or morefundamental properties of an electrical power source when saidelectrical power source is applied to said input of said electricalpower conversion device, said fundamental properties includingamplitude, period, phase, waveform and polarity; whereby a bioprotectiveelectromagnetic field is produced from said coil.
 9. An apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein said time intervals are random intervals,the largest of which is less than 10 seconds.
 10. An apparatus accordingto claim 8 wherein said time intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 11. Anapparatus as in claim 8, wherein said heating coil and said electricalcoil are arranged so as to be parallel and have current flowing inopposite directions, respectively.
 12. An apparatus as in claim 8,wherein said hair dryer further comprises a sensing device for sensingthe bioprotective field.
 13. An apparatus for creating a bioprotectiveelectromagnetic field for a computer comprising the combination of:acomputer having a keyboard; an electrical coil for generating anelectromagnetic field, said coil being positioned inside said keyboardof said computer; and an electrical power conversion device, having aninput and an output coupled to said coil, for modulating within timeintervals of less than 10 seconds one or more fundamental properties ofan electrical power source when said electrical power source is appliedto said input, said fundamental properties including amplitude, period,phase, waveform and polarity, said output of said electrical powerconversion device driving said coil, whereby said coil generates abioprotective electromagnetic field.
 14. An apparatus according to claim13 wherein said time intervals are random intervals, the largest ofwhich is less than 10 seconds.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 13wherein said time intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 16. An apparatus as inclaim 13, wherein said electrical power source is contained within saidcomputer.
 17. An apparatus as in claim 13, further comprising a sensingdevice for sensing the bioprotective field.
 18. An apparatus forcreating a bioprotective electromagnetic field in a space occupied byhumans or animals comprising the combination of:a space to be protected;an electrical coil for generating an electromagnetic field, said coilbeing positioned adjacent a wall in said space; and an electrical powerconversion device, having an input and an output coupled to drive saidcoil, for modulating within time intervals of less than 10 seconds oneor more fundamental properties of an electrical power source when saidelectrical power source is applied to said input, said fundamentalproperties including amplitude, period, phase, waveform and polarity,whereby said coil generates a bioprotective electromagnetic field. 19.An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said time intervals arerandom intervals, the largest of which is less than 10 seconds.
 20. Anapparatus according to claim 18 wherein said time intervals are 0.1 to 1second.
 21. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising a sensingdevice for sensing the bioprotective field.
 22. An apparatus forcreating a bioprotective electromagnetic field surrounding a buildingcomprising the combination of:a building; an electrical coil forgenerating an electromagnetic field, said coil surrounding saidbuilding; and an electrical power conversion device, having an input andan output coupled to said coil, for modulating within time intervals ofless than 10 seconds one or more fundamental properties of an electricalpower source when said electrical power source is applied to said input,said fundamental properties including amplitude, period, phase, waveformand polarity, said output of said electrical power conversion devicedriving said coil, whereby said coil generates a bioprotectiveelectromagnetic field.
 23. An apparatus according to claim 22 whereinsaid time intervals are random intervals, the largest of which is lessthan 10 seconds.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein saidtime intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 25. An apparatus as in claim 22,further comprising a sensing device for sensing the bioprotective field.26. An apparatus for creating a bioprotective electromagnetic fieldsurrounding a cathode ray tube comprising the combination of:a cathoderay tube having a screen; an electrical coil for generating anelectromagnetic field, said coil surrounding said screen of said cathoderay tube; and an electrical power conversion device, having an input andan output coupled to said coil, for modulating within time intervals ofless than 10 seconds one or more fundamental properties of an electricalpower source when said electrical power source is applied to said input,said fundamental properties including amplitude, period, phase, waveformand polarity, said output of said electrical power conversion devicedriving said coil, whereby said coil generates a bioprotectiveelectromagnetic field.
 27. An apparatus according to claim 26 whereinsaid time intervals are random intervals, the largest of which is lessthan 10 seconds.
 28. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein saidtime intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 29. An apparatus for creating abioprotective electromagnetic field surrounding a microwave ovencomprising the combination of:a microwave oven having an outer surface;an electrical coil for generating an electromagnetic field, said coilpositioned adjacent to an outer surface of said microwave oven; and anelectrical power conversion device, having an input and an outputcoupled to said coil, for modulating within time intervals of less than10 seconds one or more fundamental property of an electrical powersource when said electrical power source is applied to said input, saidfundamental properties including amplitude, period, phase, waveform andpolarity, said output of said electrical power conversion device drivingsaid coil, whereby said coil generates a bioprotective electromagneticfield.
 30. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said timeintervals are random intervals, the largest of which is less than 10seconds.
 31. An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said timeintervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 32. An apparatus for creating abioprotective electromagnetic field surrounding a mattress comprisingthe combination of:a mattress, having an inside; an electrical coil forgenerating an electromagnetic field, said coil being substantially thesize of said mattress, said coil positioned in the inside of saidmattress; and an electrical power conversion device, having an input andan output coupled to said coil, for modulating within time intervals ofless than 10 seconds one or more fundamental properties of an electricalpower source when said electrical power source is applied to said input,said fundamental properties including amplitude, period, phase, waveformand polarity, said output of said electrical power conversion devicedriving said coil, whereby said coil generates a bioprotectiveelectromagnetic field.
 33. An apparatus according to claim 32 whereinsaid time intervals are random intervals, the largest of which is lessthan 10 seconds.
 34. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein saidtime intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 35. An apparatus for creating abioprotective electromagnetic field in an electrical circuit comprisingthe combination of:an electrical circuit; a modulation device having anelectrical input and an electrical output; a modulation device drivercoupled to said modulation device for electrically driving saidmodulation device; and a modulation generator coupled to said driverwhich controls said modulation device driver within time intervals ofless than 10 seconds, said time intervals of control of said modulationdevice driver altering at least one fundamental property of anelectrical source applied to said electrical input of said modulationdevice, said fundamental property being any of amplitude, period, phase,waveform and polarity, said altered electrical source being available atsaid output of said modulation device, the use of said apparatus in saidelectrical circuit generating an electromagnetic field which ismodulated at said time intervals.
 36. An apparatus according to claim 35wherein said time intervals are random intervals, the largest of whichis less than 10 seconds.
 37. An apparatus according to claim 35 whereinsaid time intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 38. An apparatus as in claim35, wherein said electrical output of said modulation device isgrounded.
 39. An apparatus as in claim 35, wherein said apparatusincludes a thermostat.
 40. An apparatus as in claim 35, wherein saidapparatus includes a hair dryer.
 41. An apparatus for convertingstandard household electrical power into a bioprotective power sourcecomprising the combination of:an electrical circuit for conveyingelectrical power; a modulation device having an electrical power sourceand an electrical power output; a modulation device driver coupled tosaid modulation device for electrically driving said modulation device;and a modulation generator means coupled to said driver which controlssaid modulation device driver within time intervals of less than 10seconds, said time intervals of control of said modulation device driveraltering at least one fundamental property of said electrical powersource of said modulation device, said fundamental property being any ofamplitude, period, phase, waveform and polarity, said altered electricalpower source of said modulation device being applied to said electricalpower outlet of said modulation device, the use of said apparatus insaid electrical circuit generating an electromagnetic field which ismodulated at said time intervals.
 42. An apparatus according to claim 41wherein said time intervals are random intervals, the largest of whichis less than 10 seconds.
 43. An apparatus according to claim 41 whereinsaid time intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 44. An apparatus for creating abioprotective electromagnetic field in an electrical circuit comprisingthe combination of:an electrical circuit; a modulating resistanceconnected in said circuit; and a modulation control device for changingsaid modulating resistance into different resistances, said changinginto different resistances occurring within time intervals of less than10 seconds, wherein a bioprotective electromagnetic field emanates fromsaid electrical circuit.
 45. An apparatus according to claim 44 whereinsaid time intervals are random intervals, the largest of which is lessthan 10 seconds.
 46. An apparatus according to claim 44 wherein saidtime intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 47. An apparatus as in claim 44,wherein said apparatus includes an electric blanket in which saidelectrical circuit is placed.
 48. An apparatus for creating abioprotective electromagnetic field comprising the combination of:anelectrical wire for producing an electromagnetic field; and anelectrical power conversion device, having an input and an outputcoupled to said wire, for modulating within time intervals of less than10 seconds one or more fundamental properties of an electrical powersource when said electrical power source is applied to said input ofsaid electrical power conversion means, said fundamental propertiesincluding amplitude, period, phase, waveform and polarity, whereby saidwire produces a bioprotective electromagnetic field.
 49. An apparatusaccording to claim 48 wherein said time intervals are random intervals,the largest of which is less than 10 seconds.
 50. An apparatus accordingto claim 48 wherein said time intervals are 0.1 to 1 second.
 51. Anapparatus for bioprotecting a power transmission line comprising thecombination of:a power transmission line; a non-power carrying conductorplaced so as to be parallel to said power transmission line; and currentgenerating apparatus coupled to said conductor for causing a current toflow in said conductor, the current being such that a magnetic fieldinduced thereby is equal to or larger than that from said transmissionline.
 52. An apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said currentcausing means comprises means for causing current to flow that is turnedon for 0.1 seconds in one second intervals.